The provision of security should be responsive to the needs of the people, and should be accountable and transparent to the country’s citizens. Transparency International's Defence and Security Programme (TI DSP) believes that there is substantial room for engagement between civil society and defence and security establishments. Though these groups sometimes view each other with mistrust, we have found both defence and security ministries and defence companies to be relatively open to working with us—in some cases, ministries have actively sought our involvement in reform projects.

For Civil Society organisations interested in tackling corruption in their nation’s defence and security sectors, TI DSP can offer its own experience working with Defence and Security Ministries, providing specific advice on ways to collaborate (click the box below for details). Our typology can help Civil Society Organisations diagnose and identify corruption risks in defence and security. Roundtables can bring civil society organisations together with defence institutions in a public debate. We can advise on how to engage defence and security Ministries, who may be suspicious of NGOs and their motives.